Their debut album, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, recorded by Adam Lasus (Genius + Love = Yo La Tengo/the dirt of luck), was self-released in 2005, receiving attention from numerous MP3 blogs and a favorable review from Pitchfork Media, who gave the band a "Best New Music" commendation. The ensuing demand for the album was so great that the band were forced to re-press the CD, as the initial production run was too small. David Bowie and David Byrne were subsequently spotted at some of the band's shows, garnering them even more press. They also received praise from Rolling Stone as the 'Hot New Band' for 2005. On October 3, 2005, they were signed to Wichita Recordings in the UK.
The band released their second album, Some Loud Thunder on January 29, 2007, in the UK, and January 30, 2007, in the United States. On September 18, 2007, Live at Lollapalooza 2007: Clap Your Hands Say Yeah was released on iTunes. It features the band's complete live set from Lollapalooza, professionally recorded on August 4, 2007.
May 2011 brought news the third album, reassuring fans that they had not broken up. The band released Hysterical, produced by John Congleton, on September 12 in the UK, Europe, Japan, and Australia, and on September 20 in the United States. It was announced via a post on the band's official website with a video of the band rehearsing a few new songs from the album in the studio. A vinyl reissue of a remastered edition of the first album, released on June 14, 2011, was also announced. A music video for "Maniac" was made by Belgian director Pieter Dirkx. It was released on September 14, 2011.
On August 1, 2013 Clap Your Hands Say Yeah digitally released their EP Little Moments on their Bandcamp page. It consisted of four songs, two of which were to be included in a different form on their forthcoming LP, Only Run. Little Moments featured a new sound for the band that included a heavier reliance on synths and drum machines and fewer guitars. The band recorded the EP in Alec Ounsworth's home studio, mixing and mastering the EP themselves. Additionally, 500 10 inch vinyl EPs were put on sale on the band's Bandcamp page.
On December 31, 2013 the band announced via email the completion of their forthcoming album called Only Run with a release date of June 3, 2014. Its first single, Coming Down, featured vocals from The National's Matt Berninger.
In This Home On Ice
Clap Your Hands Say Yeah Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I don't know how you can stand next to me
You you talk like a noose
And only confuse my perplexity
Now that I'm so sad and not quite right
I could dance all night
I could dance all night
And become a part of society
Wait on down the highway
To see how far I'll come a-run a-run run running
All that we had salvaged from the fire
Was a waste of time
(But) what a waste of time
Should I trust all the rust that's on TV
The guests with some distaste they disagree
With quite the fashionable dispassion for the dispossessed under-stressed gimme gimme gimme gimme gimme
But I don't care if you don't like it or just don't see
Now that we fattened the cow
And set out to plow unknown enemies
"Wow!" shouts the startled crowd "Now now did you see what i did see?"
The ravaged cabbage drifts on dark red skies
And it looks so nice
Gee it looks so nice
Shout just let it on out
Confusion becomes philosophy
Down we're reaching the town where we don't have to stand around and look over our shoulders
Hell i never knew was what we made it
Lets just take it slow in this home on ice
The song "In This Home On Ice" by Clap Your Hands Say Yeah is a very introspective song, with a lot of opaque imagery that seems to be hinting at various emotional states. The first verse, for instance, speaks to a relationship in which the singer feels inferior to his partner, and as though he is being strangled by their presence. The use of the metaphor of a noose is particularly potent, as it suggests that the singer feels not only trapped, but actively threatened by their partner. However, despite this, they seem to be in the mood to dance, suggesting a kind of manic energy - perhaps a way of trying to reject or escape the feelings of inferiority they are experiencing.
The middle section of the song is more political in tone, referencing television and the media. The lines "Should I trust all the rust that's on TV / The guests with some distaste they disagree" seem to be questioning the value of information that we receive through the mass media, suggesting that even when we are being told different things by different "experts," we might not be getting the full story. The repetition of "gimme gimme gimme gimme gimme" is also interesting, as it suggests a sense of entitlement - perhaps from both the elite who control the media and the general public who consume it.
The final verse returns to more personal territory, referencing a cow and an unknown enemy, which could be interpreted as a metaphor for a kind of emotional labor in trying to move through life with confidence and power. The final lines - "Hell I never knew was what we made it / Let's just take it slow in this home on ice" - seem to be trying to find a sense of stability in a world that is constantly changing and challenging. The image of a home on ice also speaks to this sense of precariousness, as ice is not a very stable foundation, but at the same time, it is able to support a whole community.
Line by Line Meaning
Blue you radiant blue
The singer is addressing the color blue, admiring its radiance.
I don't know how you can stand next to me
The singer is wondering how something as beautiful as blue can exist beside them.
You you talk like a noose
The singer is comparing someone's speech to a noose, as it tightens around their mind and causes confusion.
And only confuse my perplexity
The artist is saying that their confusion is only made worse by this person's words.
Now that I'm so sad and not quite right
The artist is admitting to feeling sad and mentally unwell.
I could dance all night
Despite feeling sad, the singer could still dance all night long.
Shake you rattle-snake skin
The singer is telling someone to shed their deceptive ways.
And become a part of society
The artist is suggesting that being honest and genuine is a better way to fit in with society.
Wait on down the highway
The artist is waiting to see what the future holds.
To see how far I'll come a-run a-run run running
The artist is eager to see how much progress they can make in their life.
All that we had salvaged from the fire
The singer is referencing something that was saved from destruction.
Was a waste of time
Despite trying to save something, it ended up being pointless.
Should I trust all the rust that's on TV
The singer is questioning the authenticity of what they see on TV.
The guests with some distaste they disagree
The singer is saying that even experts disagree on what's best.
With quite the fashionable dispassion for the dispossessed under-stressed gimme gimme gimme gimme gimme
The singer is pointing out how society often overlooks and neglects those who are struggling.
But I don't care if you don't like it or just don't see
The artist is asserting their independence and doesn't require others to understand them.
Now that we fattened the cow
The artist is referencing the hard work they put in to achieve something.
And set out to plow unknown enemies
The singer is ready to face whatever obstacles come their way.
"Wow!" shouts the startled crowd "Now now did you see what I did see?"
The singer is describing a moment where the crowd is amazed at what happened.
The ravaged cabbage drifts on dark red skies
The artist is describing a surreal and unsettling image.
And it looks so nice
Despite the disturbing imagery, the artist finds beauty in it.
Gee it looks so nice
The artist repeats their admiration for the strange sight they just witnessed.
Shout just let it on out
The singer is encouraging someone to express their thoughts and emotions.
Confusion becomes philosophy
The artist suggests that confusion can lead to deeper insights and understanding.
Down we're reaching the town where we don't have to stand around and look over our shoulders
The singer is looking forward to a place where they can feel safe and secure.
Hell I never knew was what we made it
The singer is realizing that they have the ability to create their own version of hell or heaven in their life.
Let's just take it slow in this home on ice
The singer is suggesting that they take things slow and enjoy the moment in a peaceful setting.
Lyrics © DOMINO PUBLISHING COMPANY, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Alec Ounsworth, Lee Sargent, Robbie Guertin, Sean Greenhalgh, Tyler Sargent
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind